U.S. patent application number 15/710299 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-21 for redirecting blocked media content.
The applicant listed for this patent is International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to Swaminathan Balasubramanian, Ravi P. Bansal, Santosh S. Borse, Cheranellore Vasudevan.
Application Number | 20190087422 15/710299 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65720454 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-21 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190087422 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Balasubramanian; Swaminathan ;
et al. |
March 21, 2019 |
REDIRECTING BLOCKED MEDIA CONTENT
Abstract
A method includes determining, using a processor system, that a
portion of media content is objectionable to an audience based at
least on a comparison between an identified aspect of the portion
of media content and a first set of preferences associated with the
audience. The first set of preferences defines a type of media
content corresponding to the portion of media content as being
objectionable to the audience. The audience is associated with a
primary viewing device. The method also includes determining that
the portion of media content is not objectionable to a member of
the audience based at least on a second set of preferences. The
second set of preferences defines the type of media content
corresponding to the portion of media content as not being
objectionable to the member. The method can transmit the portion of
the media content to a secondary display device of the member.
Inventors: |
Balasubramanian; Swaminathan;
(Troy, MI) ; Bansal; Ravi P.; (Tampa, FL) ;
Borse; Santosh S.; (Ossining, NY) ; Vasudevan;
Cheranellore; (Bastrop, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
International Business Machines Corporation |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65720454 |
Appl. No.: |
15/710299 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4363 20130101;
G06F 16/58 20190101; G06F 16/4387 20190101; H04N 21/44029 20130101;
H04N 21/4882 20130101; G06F 16/4393 20190101; H04N 21/25866
20130101; H04N 21/4532 20130101; G06F 16/435 20190101; H04N 21/454
20130101; G06F 16/78 20190101; H04H 60/37 20130101; H04H 60/45
20130101; H04N 21/44008 20130101; H04H 60/65 20130101; H04N 21/4542
20130101; H04H 60/47 20130101; H04N 21/8549 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30; H04H 60/45 20060101 H04H060/45; H04N 21/4223 20060101
H04N021/4223; H04H 60/37 20060101 H04H060/37 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: determining, using a
processor system, that a portion of media content is objectionable
to an audience based at least on a comparison between an identified
aspect of the portion of media content and a first set of
preferences associated with the audience, wherein the first set of
preferences defines a type of media content corresponding to the
portion of media content as being objectionable to the audience,
and the audience is associated with a primary viewing device;
determining that the portion of media content is not objectionable
to a member of the audience based at least on a second set of
preferences, wherein the second set of preferences defines the type
of media content corresponding to the portion of media content as
not being objectionable to the member; and transmitting the portion
of the media content to a secondary viewing device of the member of
the audience.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the
transmitting the portion of media content comprises generating a
summary of the portion of media content and transmitting the
summary to the secondary viewing device.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each member
of the audience has a corresponding electronic profile that
indicates a set of preferences.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the
transmitting the portion of the media content comprises
transmitting the portion of media content via a
short-messaging-system communication.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the
transmitting the portion of the media content comprises
transmitting the portion of media content via a push
notification.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the summary
is generated based at least on a source selected from the group
consisting of a subtitle file that is associated with the portion
of media content, a result of performing optical character
recognition on close-captioned text, a crowd-sourced summary, and
an available script that is associated with the portion of media
content.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the
transmitting the portion of the media content is performed in
accordance with a method identified within an electronic profile of
the member.
8. A computer system comprising: a memory; and a processor system
communicatively coupled to the memory; the processor system
configured to perform a method comprising: determining that a
portion of media content is objectionable to an audience based at
least on a comparison between an identified aspect of the portion
of media content and a first set of preferences associated with the
audience, wherein the first set of preferences defines a type of
media content corresponding to the portion of media content as
being objectionable to the audience, and the audience is associated
with a primary viewing device; determining that the portion of
media content is not objectionable to a member of the audience
based at least on a second set of preferences, wherein the second
set of preferences defines the type of media content corresponding
to the portion of media content as not being objectionable to the
member; and transmitting the portion of the media content to a
secondary viewing device of the member of the audience.
9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the transmitting the
portion of media content comprises generating a summary of the
portion of media content and transmitting the summary to the
secondary viewing device.
10. The computer system of claim 8, wherein each member of the
audience has a corresponding electronic profile that indicates a
set of preferences.
11. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the transmitting the
portion of the media content comprises transmitting the portion of
media content via a short-messaging-system communication.
12. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the transmitting the
portion of the media content comprises transmitting the portion of
media content via a push notification.
13. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the summary is
generated based at least on a source selected from the group
consisting of a subtitle file that is associated with the portion
of media content, a result of performing optical character
recognition on close-captioned text, a crowd-sourced summary, and
an available script that is associated with the portion of media
content.
14. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the transmitting the
portion of the media content is performed in accordance with a
method identified within an electronic profile of the member.
15. A computer program product comprising: a computer-readable
storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the
program instructions readable by a processor system to cause the
processor system to perform a method comprising: determining that a
portion of media content is objectionable to an audience based at
least on a comparison between an identified aspect of the portion
of media content and a first set of preferences associated with the
audience, wherein the first set of preferences defines a type of
media content corresponding to the portion of media content as
being objectionable to the audience, and the audience is associated
with a primary viewing device; determining that the portion of
media content is not objectionable to a member of the audience
based at least on a second set of preferences, wherein the second
set of preferences defines the type of media content corresponding
to the portion of media content as not being objectionable to the
member; and transmitting the portion of the media content to a
secondary viewing device of the member of the audience.
16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the
transmitting the portion of media content comprises generating a
summary of the portion of media content and transmitting the
summary to the secondary viewing device.
17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein each member
of the audience has a corresponding electronic profile that
indicates a set of preferences.
18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the
transmitting the portion of the media content comprises
transmitting the portion of media content via a
short-messaging-system communication.
19. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the
transmitting the portion of the media content comprises
transmitting the portion of media content via a push
notification.
20. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the summary
is generated based at least on a source selected from the group
consisting of a subtitle file that is associated with the portion
of media content, a result of performing optical character
recognition on close-captioned text, a crowd-sourced summary, and
an available script that is associated with the portion of media
content.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention generally relates to media content
delivery systems. More specifically, the present invention relates
to blocking media content from being viewed by an audience member
whose profile considers the media content to be objectionable
and/or inappropriate and redirecting the blocked media content to
another audience member whose profile does not consider the media
content to be objectionable and/or inappropriate.
[0002] Different types of media content can be intended for
different types of audience members. Because different audience
members have different sensitivities, one type of media content
that is considered to be appropriate for one audience member can be
considered to be inappropriate for another audience member.
Audience members generally attempt to determine whether media
content is appropriate for them by referring to an assigned rating
of the media content. For example, movie media content can be
assigned a Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating
(i.e., a rating of G, PG, PG-13, R, etc.) that can be referred to
by audience members as they attempt to determine whether the media
content is appropriate for viewing. Similar content rating systems
exist for television media content.
SUMMARY
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a
computer-implemented method for redirecting media content. A
non-limiting example of the computer-implemented method includes
determining, using a processor system, that a portion of media
content is objectionable to an audience based at least on a
comparison between an identified aspect of the portion of media
content and a first set of preferences associated with the
audience. The first set of preferences defines a type of media
content corresponding to the portion of media content as being
objectionable to the audience. The audience is associated with a
primary viewing device. The method also includes determining that
the portion of media content is not objectionable to a member of
the audience based at least on a second set of preferences. The
second set of preferences defines the type of media content
corresponding to the portion of media content as not being
objectionable to the member. The method also includes transmitting
the portion of the media content to a secondary viewing device of
the member of the audience.
[0004] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a
system for redirecting media content. A non-limiting example of the
system includes a memory. The system also includes a processor
system communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor system
is configured to perform a method including determining that a
portion of media content is objectionable to an audience based at
least on a comparison between an identified aspect of the portion
of media content and a first set of preferences associated with the
audience. The first set of preferences defines a type of media
content corresponding to the portion of media content as being
objectionable to the audience, and the audience is associated with
a primary viewing device. The method also includes determining that
the portion of media content is not objectionable to a member of
the audience based at least on a second set of preferences. The
second set of preferences defines the type of media content
corresponding to the portion of media content as not being
objectionable to the member. The method also includes transmitting
the portion of the media content to a secondary viewing device of
the member of the audience.
[0005] Embodiments of the invention are directed to a computer
program product for redirecting media content, the computer program
product comprising a computer readable storage medium having
program instructions embodied therewith. The program instructions
are executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a
method. A non-limiting example of the method includes determining
that a portion of media content is objectionable to an audience
based at least on a comparison between an identified aspect of the
portion of media content and a first set of preferences associated
with the audience. The first set of preferences defines a type of
media content corresponding to the portion of media content as
being objectionable to the audience, and the audience is associated
with a primary viewing device. The method also includes determining
that the portion of media content is not objectionable to a member
of the audience based at least on a second set of preferences. The
second set of preferences defines the type of media content
corresponding to the portion of media content as not being
objectionable to the member. The method also includes transmitting
the portion of the media content to a secondary viewing device of
the member of the audience.
[0006] Additional technical features and benefits are realized
through the techniques of the present invention. Embodiments and
aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are
considered a part of the claimed subject matter. For a better
understanding, refer to the detailed description and to the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The specifics of the exclusive rights described herein are
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other
features and advantages of the embodiments of the invention are
apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 depicts a system for filtering, blocking, and
redirecting media content in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 depicts an interface that illustrates an example set
of preferences for an audience member in accordance with one or
more embodiments of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts method steps of filtering, blocking, and
redirecting media content in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 depicts summarizing media content in accordance with
one or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of a method in accordance with
one or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 6 depicts a high-level block diagram of a computer
system, which can be used to implement one or more embodiments of
the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 7 depicts a computer program product, in accordance
with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0015] The diagrams depicted herein are illustrative. There can be
many variations to the diagram or the operations described therein
without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance,
the actions can be performed in a differing order or actions can be
added, deleted or modified. Also, the term "coupled" and variations
thereof describes having a communications path between two elements
and does not imply a direct connection between the elements with no
intervening elements/connections between them. All of these
variations are considered a part of the specification.
[0016] In the accompanying figures and following detailed
description of the disclosed embodiments, the various elements
illustrated in the figures are provided with two or three digit
reference numbers. With minor exceptions, the leftmost digit(s) of
each reference number correspond to the figure in which its element
is first illustrated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Various embodiments of the invention are described herein
with reference to the related drawings. Alternative embodiments of
the invention can be devised without departing from the scope of
this invention. Various connections and positional relationships
(e.g., over, below, adjacent, etc.) are set forth between elements
in the following description and in the drawings. These connections
and/or positional relationships, unless specified otherwise, can be
direct or indirect, and the present invention is not intended to be
limiting in this respect. Accordingly, a coupling of entities can
refer to either a direct or an indirect coupling, and a positional
relationship between entities can be a direct or indirect
positional relationship. Moreover, the various tasks and process
steps described herein can be incorporated into a more
comprehensive procedure or process having additional steps or
functionality not described in detail herein.
[0018] The following definitions and abbreviations are to be used
for the interpretation of the claims and the specification. As used
herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes,"
"including," "has," "having," "contains" or "containing," or any
other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive
inclusion. For example, a composition, a mixture, process, method,
article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not
necessarily limited to only those elements but can include other
elements not expressly listed or inherent to such composition,
mixture, process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0019] Additionally, the term "exemplary" is used herein to mean
"serving as an example, instance or illustration." Any embodiment
or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be
construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or
designs. The terms "at least one" and "one or more" may be
understood to include any integer number greater than or equal to
one, i.e. one, two, three, four, etc. The terms "a plurality" may
be understood to include any integer number greater than or equal
to two, i.e. two, three, four, five, etc. The term "connection" may
include both an indirect "connection" and a direct
"connection."
[0020] The terms "about," "substantially," "approximately," and
variations thereof, are intended to include the degree of error
associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon
the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For
example, "about" can include a range of .+-.8% or 5%, or 2% of a
given value.
[0021] For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques related to
making and using aspects of the invention may or may not be
described in detail herein. In particular, various aspects of
computing systems and specific computer programs to implement the
various technical features described herein are well known.
Accordingly, in the interest of brevity, many conventional
implementation details are only mentioned briefly herein or are
omitted entirely without providing the well-known system and/or
process details.
[0022] Turning now to an overview of technologies that are more
specifically relevant to aspects of the invention, current audience
members can rely on blocking devices to ensure that media content
is appropriate for viewing. A blocking device refers to an
electronic device that can be installed within television set
receivers to filter/block display of the media content based on the
ratings that have been assigned to the media content. For example,
the electronic device can block any viewing of media content that
is rated PG-13 and rated R. Further, blocking devices can also
block portions of media content based on content tagging where
specific portions of the media content are tagged as being
potentially objectionable.
[0023] However, blocking devices which perform blocking of media
content (in accordance with an assigned MPAA rating) generally
block the entire media content from being viewed. In other words,
when blocking media content based on assigned MPAA ratings, the
blocking devices generally do not limit the blocking to only a
portion of the total media content to which the MPAA rating is
assigned. For example, if a film is rated R and the blocking device
is configured to block rated R content, then the blocking device
will generally block the entire film from being viewed, as opposed
to only blocking certain portions of the rated R film from being
viewed. Therefore, when blocking devices perform blocking of media
content in accordance with the assigned MPAA rating, viewers are
generally not able to view any portion of the blocked media
content.
[0024] Other current approaches attempt to block/filter media
content based on electronic tags that are assigned to portions of
the media content. Specifically, with the current approaches, a
portion of the media content can be tagged as possibly being
objectionable. Different tag types can correspond to different
types of objectionable content, and thus tags can identify one or
more aspects of the portion of the media content. For example, tags
can indicate that a portion of content has: (1) a depiction of a
violent act, (2) a depiction of physical intimacy, (3) a depiction
of a disturbing scenario, (4) a depiction of a thriller scenario,
(5) a depiction of a health problem, and/or (6) a depiction of
dialogue with offensive language, etc.
[0025] With the current approaches, if a tag indicates that a
portion of content is a type of content that is objectionable to an
audience, the tagged content is thus blocked to all members of the
audience. Although there may be some members of the audience that
prefer to view blocked content (and who do not consider the blocked
content as being objectionable), the current approaches will
nevertheless block the tagged content from all viewers without any
regard to the preferences of those who wish to view the tagged
content. As such, blocking/filtering away content in accordance
with the current approaches will inevitably affect the audience
members who prefer to view/access the tagged content. If audience
members who prefer to view the blocked content are prevented from
viewing the blocked content, these audience members can experience
a loss of continuity as they have missed a portion of the media
content.
[0026] Turning now to an overview of the aspects of the invention,
one or more embodiments of the invention address the
above-described shortcomings of the prior art by providing methods,
systems, and computer program products that perform redirection of
media content that is filtered and/or blocked from being viewed by
an audience, as described in more detail below. With one or more
embodiments, specific portions of media content that are considered
to be objectionable can be blocked from being viewed by an
audience. After these specific portions of media content are
blocked from being viewed by the audience, one or more embodiments
can redirect the blocked content to specific audience members whose
profiles do not consider the blocked content to be objectionable or
inappropriate. In addition to blocking/redirecting portions of
visual media content, other embodiments can be directed to
blocking/redirecting portions of audio-only media content. In other
words, one or more embodiments can block/redirect media content
that is entirely audio content. For example, one or more
embodiments can block and redirect portions of an audio recording.
Further, one or more embodiments can block just the audio of a
specific portion of media content. In such a case, one or more
embodiments can block the audio of media content while allowing the
visuals/video of the media content to be viewed. With regard to
redirecting of media content, the redirected media content can be
in the form of video and/or audio. The redirected media content can
also be in the form of a textual summary. The redirected media
content can also be in the form of scene images with accompanying
descriptive text, for example.
[0027] FIG. 1 depicts a system that is configured to filter, block,
and redirect media content in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the present invention. Distribution device 121 can
be an electronic networking device that can distribute media
content to audience members (116-119). As described above, if a
portion of media content includes a type of content that can
possibly be considered to be objectionable/inappropriate by a
profile of a viewer, then this portion can be electronically tagged
with a tag that indicates the content type. Filtering device 111
can filter portions of the media content based on the tags that
have been assigned to the portions, as described in more detail
below.
[0028] Distribution device 121 can distribute media content in the
form of analog transmissions, digital transmissions, satellite
transmissions, cable transmissions, high-definition television
transmissions, and/or internet protocol television transmissions,
for example. In one or more embodiments of the present invention,
distribution device 121 can also act as an electronic repository of
media content that is to be distributed. Distribution device 121
can transmit the media content (and any associated tags) to the
filtering device 111 via a transmission 131. Although FIG. 1
depicts distribution device 121 and filtering device 111 as
separate devices, one or more embodiments can implement
distribution device 121 and filtering device 111 within a single
device.
[0029] Filtering device 111 is configured to use an electronic
filter to filter the media content that is received from
distribution device 121. Filter device 111 configures the
parameters of the electronic filter based at least on audience
preferences. When filter device 111 applies the electronic filter
to the media content, the electronic filter will filter away
portions of content that are defined as objectionable by the
audience preferences. For each portion of media content, filter
device 111 can determine if the portion of media content has been
tagged as a type of content that should be filtered away by the
electronic filter. After the media content is filtered by filtering
device 111, the filtered media content is transmitted (via
transmission 113) to primary viewing device 110, which is being
viewed by audience (116-119). Primary viewing device 110 can be a
television screen, movie screen, computer screen, tablet, and/or
any other type of device that displays video and/or audio.
[0030] Although FIG. 1 depicts filtering device 111 and primary
viewing device 110 as separate devices, one or more embodiments can
implement filtering device 111 and primary viewing device 110 as a
single device.
[0031] The content that is removed/filtered away by filtering
device 111 is content that is defined by the audience's preferences
as being objectionable. However, there can still be a few audience
members (i.e., such as audience member 116 and audience member 117)
that do not consider the removed content to be objectionable or
inappropriate. For example, audience member 116 and audience member
117 can prefer to view the removed content.
[0032] Filtering device 111 is configured to determine the audience
members who do not consider the removed content to be
objectionable, if any. These audience members who do not consider
the removed content to be objectionable can prefer to view/access
the removed content. Filtering device 111 can determine if an
audience member wants to view the removed content based on
information contained within an electronic profile of the audience
member, for example. Therefore, by referring to the profiles of
audience member 116 and audience member 117, filtering device 111
can determine that audience member 116 and audience member 117 wish
to view the removed content. Filtering device 111 can then redirect
the removed content to secondary viewing device 115 and secondary
viewing device 114 that are owned by audience member 116 and
audience member 117, respectively. Specifically, instead of
transmitting the removed content to primary viewing device 110,
filtering device 111 transmits the removed content to secondary
viewing device 114 and secondary viewing device 115 via
transmission 112.
[0033] FIG. 2 depicts an interface that illustrates an example set
of preferences for audience member 116 in accordance with one or
more embodiments of the present invention. With one or more
embodiments, interface 200 can be displayed to allow each audience
member to configure a set of preferences. For example, primary
viewing device 110 and/or secondary viewing devices (114 and 115)
can display interface 200 to the audience members. Referring to the
example of FIG. 2, audience member 116 has configured a specific
set of user preferences 230. As described above, the electronic
filter of filtering device 111 can be configured based at least on
the set of user preferences 230 for audience member 116 (and based
at least on the set of user preferences for the other audience
members). Specifically, audience member 116 has a configured
profile that considers "violent acts" and "offensive language" as
types of media content which are objectionable and thus should be
filtered. However, the profile of audience member 116 does not
consider "boxing," "physical intimacy," "disturbing scenarios,"
etc. as being objectionable, and thus would prefer to have these
types of content redirected from primary viewing device 110 to
laptop 115 (as shown in FIG. 1 and by the indicated "Secondary
Device" 210 in FIG. 2). Further, "Provide summary" indication 220
indicates that audience member 116 would like to receive a summary
of redirected media content, as described in more detail below.
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates method steps of filtering, blocking, and
redirecting media content in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the present invention. At 310, distribution device
121 can transmit media content to filtering device 111. At 320,
filtering device 111 can receive the media content from
distribution device 121 and can process the received media content.
Filtering device 111 can process the received media content by
determining whether the media content has any portions that have
been electronically tagged as a type of objectionable content such
as, for example: (1) depictions of violent acts, (2) depictions of
fighting, (3) depictions of physical intimacy, (4) depictions of a
disturbing scenario, (5) depictions of thriller scenarios, (6)
depictions of a health problem, and/or (7) depictions of dialogue
with offensive language, etc.
[0035] At 330, filtering device 111 can determine the members of
the viewing audience (116-119) for primary viewing device 110. For
example, one or more audience members can register with filtering
device 111 and/or with primary viewing device 110. With another
embodiment, filtering device 111 can use a pre-configured audience
and/or a default audience. At 340, filtering device 111 can
retrieve an electronic profile for each member of the audience. As
depicted by FIG. 2 above, the electronic profile that is associated
with each audience member can reflect each audience member's
preferences regarding which type of content is to be considered as
objectionable content.
[0036] At 350, filtering device 111 can generate/configure an
electronic filter that is to be applied to the media content. As
described above, the electronic filter filters away content that is
considered to be objectionable and/or inappropriate by the profiles
of the audience. The parameters of the electronic filter can be
derived from the profiles of the members of the audience. For
example, one or more embodiments can configure the parameters of
the electronic filter to filter away a type of content if the type
of content is considered to be objectionable and/or inappropriate
by a profile of at least one audience member. Another embodiment
can configure the parameters of the electronic filter to filter
away a type of content if the type of content is considered to be
objectionable and/or inappropriate by all the profiles of all
audience members. Another embodiment can configure the parameters
of the filter in accordance with the preferences of the
most-restrictive audience member. Other embodiments can use other
methods to configure the parameters of the filter.
[0037] At 360, filtering device 111 compares the media content
against the electronic filter (to filter the media content using
the electronic filter). As described above, portions of the media
content can be tagged with tags that indicate a type of content
that is possibly objectionable. Filtering device 111 can filter
away content that has been determined by the parameters (of the
electronic filter) to be objectionable, where the portions of
content are identified by assigned tags.
[0038] At 370, if portions of media content are to be filtered
away, filtering device 111 determines a method of
blocking/filtering away the objectionable content. The method of
blocking/filtering away content can include at least one of
skipping the objectionable content, blanking the video of the
objectionable content, etc. Therefore, at 380, when primary viewing
device 110 displays the media content, the objectionable content
has been blocked/filtered away.
[0039] At 390, filtering device 111 redirects the objectionable
content (that has been blocked/filtered away) to a secondary device
of at least one audience member whose profile does not consider the
content to be objectionable or inappropriate. Specifically, instead
of transmitting the objectionable content to primary viewing device
110, filtering device 111 transmits the objectionable content to
the secondary viewing device. The secondary viewing device can
correspond to a smartphone, tablet, and/or any other type of
display device of the audience member who receives the content. The
audience member whose profile does not consider the blocked content
to be objectionable or inappropriate can then access/view the
blocked content on the secondary viewing device.
[0040] Filtering device 111 can redirect the blocked content to the
secondary viewing device via the Internet, a short-messaging system
(SMS), and/or any other similar means of connection. When the
redirected content is available to be viewed/accessed by the
secondary viewing device, one or more embodiments can transmit a
push notification to an application that is implemented on the
secondary viewing device. The push notification can notify the
audience member that the blocked content is available. The audience
member can then be prompted to view the blocked content.
[0041] At 390, filtering device 111 can also provide a summary of
the blocked content to the audience member, as described in more
detail below. As such, the secondary device owner can view the
blocked content directly and/or view a summary of the blocked
content.
[0042] Therefore, in contrast to the current approaches, one or
more embodiments of the present invention can redirect blocked
content and/or a summary of the blocked content to audience members
whose profiles consider the blocked content to be appropriate. One
or more embodiments are configured to dynamically summarize and
redirect the blocked content. As such, the audience members whose
profiles consider the blocked content to be acceptable are able to
know what occurred during the portions that are blocked/filtered
away.
[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates summarizing media content in accordance
with one or more embodiments. The summarizing of media content can
be performed, at least, within step 390 of FIG. 3. At 410,
filtering device 111 determines a method for providing the summary.
For example, the summary can be provided in the form of a written
summary, a text message, and/or an SMS message, for example. In one
or more embodiments, the profile of each audience member can define
a preferred method for receiving the provided summary. At 420,
filtering device 111 generates a summary for the audience members
whose profiles do not consider the blocked content to be
objectionable/inappropriate.
[0044] In order to generate the summary of the blocked content, one
or more embodiments can generate a textual summarization (e.g., a
text file) based on either an associated subtitle file (.SRT)
and/or based on results of optical character recognition (OCR) that
has been performed on closed-captioned text of the media
content.
[0045] Another embodiment can generate the textual summarization of
the media content by analyzing an audio stream of the blocked
content. Another embodiment can generate the textual summarization
by analyzing a video stream of the blocked content. Another
embodiment can generate the textual summarization by referring to a
crowd-sourced summary of the blocked content. Another embodiment
can generate the textual summarization by analyzing available
scripts/screenplays of the blocked content.
[0046] At 430, filtering device 111 transmits the generated summary
to a secondary device of at least one audience member whose profile
does not consider the blocked content to be objectionable or
inappropriate. The profile of each audience member can indicate a
secondary device that the generated summary/blocked content should
be transmitted to.
[0047] FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of a method in accordance with
one or more embodiments. The method can be performed by an
electronic controller of a display device, for example. The method
includes, at block 510, determining that a portion of media content
is objectionable to an audience based at least on a comparison
between an identified aspect of the portion of media content and a
first set of preferences associated with the audience. The first
set of preferences defines a type of media content corresponding to
the portion of media content as being objectionable to the
audience, and the audience is associated with a primary viewing
device. The method also includes, at block 520, determining that
the portion of media content is not objectionable to a member of
the audience based at least on a second set of preferences. The
second set of preferences defines the type of media content
corresponding to the portion of media content as not being
objectionable to the member. The method also includes, at 530,
transmitting the portion of the media content to a secondary
viewing device of the member of the audience.
[0048] FIG. 6 depicts a high-level block diagram of a computer
system 600, which can be used to implement one or more embodiments.
Computer system 600 can correspond to, at least, a distribution
device and/or a filtering device that operates as a part of or in
conjunction with a display device, for example. Computer system 600
can be used to implement hardware components of systems capable of
performing methods described herein. Although one exemplary
computer system 600 is shown, computer system 600 includes a
communication path 626, which connects computer system 600 to
additional systems (not depicted) and can include one or more wide
area networks (WANs) and/or local area networks (LANs) such as the
Internet, intranet(s), and/or wireless communication network(s).
Computer system 600 and additional system are in communication via
communication path 626, e.g., to communicate data between them.
[0049] Computer system 600 includes one or more processors, such as
processor 602. Processor 602 is connected to a communication
infrastructure 604 (e.g., a communications bus, cross-over bar, or
network). Computer system 600 can include a display interface 606
that forwards graphics, textual content, and other data from
communication infrastructure 604 (or from a frame buffer not shown)
for display on a display unit 608. Computer system 600 also
includes a main memory 610, preferably random access memory (RAM),
and can also include a secondary memory 612. Secondary memory 612
can include, for example, a hard disk drive 614 and/or a removable
storage drive 616, representing, for example, a floppy disk drive,
a magnetic tape drive, or an optical disc drive. Hard disk drive
614 can be in the form of a solid state drive (SSD), a traditional
magnetic disk drive, or a hybrid of the two. There also can be more
than one hard disk drive 614 contained within secondary memory 612.
Removable storage drive 616 reads from and/or writes to a removable
storage unit 618 in a manner well known to those having ordinary
skill in the art. Removable storage unit 618 represents, for
example, a floppy disk, a compact disc, a magnetic tape, or an
optical disc, etc. which is read by and written to by removable
storage drive 616. As will be appreciated, removable storage unit
618 includes a computer-readable medium having stored therein
computer software and/or data.
[0050] In alternative embodiments, secondary memory 612 can include
other similar means for allowing computer programs or other
instructions to be loaded into the computer system. Such means can
include, for example, a removable storage unit 620 and an interface
622. Examples of such means can include a program package and
package interface (such as that found in video game devices), a
removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, secure digital card (SD
card), compact flash card (CF card), universal serial bus (USB)
memory, or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage
units 620 and interfaces 622 which allow software and data to be
transferred from the removable storage unit 620 to computer system
600.
[0051] Computer system 600 can also include a communications
interface 624. Communications interface 624 allows software and
data to be transferred between the computer system and external
devices. Examples of communications interface 624 can include a
modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a
communications port, or a PC card slot and card, a universal serial
bus port (USB), and the like. Software and data transferred via
communications interface 624 are in the form of signals that can
be, for example, electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other
signals capable of being received by communications interface 624.
These signals are provided to communications interface 624 via a
communication path (i.e., channel) 626. Communication path 626
carries signals and can be implemented using wire or cable, fiber
optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link, and/or
other communications channels.
[0052] In the present description, the terms "computer program
medium," "computer usable medium," and "computer-readable medium"
are used to refer to media such as main memory 610 and secondary
memory 612, removable storage drive 616, and a hard disk installed
in hard disk drive 614. Computer programs (also called computer
control logic) are stored in main memory 610 and/or secondary
memory 612. Computer programs also can be received via
communications interface 624. Such computer programs, when run,
enable the computer system to perform the features discussed
herein. In particular, the computer programs, when run, enable
processor 602 to perform the features of the computer system.
Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the
computer system. Thus it can be seen from the foregoing detailed
description that one or more embodiments provide technical benefits
and advantages.
[0053] FIG. 7 depicts a computer program product 700, in accordance
with an embodiment. Computer program product 700 includes a
computer-readable storage medium 702 and program instructions
704.
[0054] Embodiments can be a system, a method, and/or a computer
program product. The computer program product can include a
computer-readable storage medium (or media) having
computer-readable program instructions thereon for causing a
processor to carry out aspects of one or more embodiments.
[0055] The computer-readable storage medium can be a tangible
device that can retain and store instructions for use by an
instruction execution device. The computer-readable storage medium
can be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage
device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an
electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or
any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of
more specific examples of the computer-readable storage medium
includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk,
a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static
random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only
memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a
floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or
raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon,
and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer-readable
storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being
transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely
propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves
propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g.,
light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical
signals transmitted through a wire.
[0056] Computer-readable program instructions described herein can
be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a
computer-readable storage medium or to an external computer or
external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a
local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.
The network can include copper transmission cables, optical
transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls,
switches, gateway computers, and/or edge servers. A network adapter
card or network interface in each computing/processing device
receives computer-readable program instructions from the network
and forwards the computer-readable program instructions for storage
in a computer-readable storage medium within the respective
computing/processing device.
[0057] Computer-readable program instructions for carrying out
embodiments can include assembler instructions,
instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine
instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware
instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object
code written in any combination of one or more programming
languages, including an object-oriented programming language such
as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural
programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or
similar programming languages. The computer-readable program
instructions can execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on
the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on
the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on
the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote
computer can be connected to the user's computer through any type
of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area
network (WAN), or the connection can be made to an external
computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet
Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry
including, for example, programmable logic circuitry,
field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays
(PLA) can execute the computer-readable program instructions by
utilizing state information of the computer-readable program
instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to
perform aspects of the present invention.
[0058] Aspects of various embodiments are described herein with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products
according to various embodiments. It will be understood that each
block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and
combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, can be implemented by computer-readable program
instructions.
[0059] These computer-readable program instructions can be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer-readable program instructions can also be stored in
a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a
programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the computer-readable
storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an
article of manufacture including instructions which implement
aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block
diagram block or blocks.
[0060] The computer-readable program instructions can also be
loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing
apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps
to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or
other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that
the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable
apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0061] The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products
according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the
flowchart or block diagrams can represent a module, segment, or
portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable
instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In
some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block
can occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two
blocks shown in succession can, in fact, be executed substantially
concurrently, or the blocks can sometimes be executed in the
reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will
also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or
flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block
diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by
special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified
functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose
hardware and computer instructions.
[0062] The descriptions of the various embodiments have been
presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be
exhaustive or limited to the embodiments described. Many
modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain
the principles of the embodiment, the practical application or
technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace,
or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the
embodiments described herein.
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